Los Angeles, Apr. 9, 2026 — The Los Angeles Lakers no longer view playoff seeding as their chief objective during the final stretch of the NBA regular season, according to a report published Thursday.
The change in approach comes after a series of injuries within the roster, prompting the organization to prioritize player recovery and long-term readiness over jockeying for a higher spot in the Western Conference bracket.
Team officials indicated that preserving the health of key contributors is now the primary concern as the club prepares for the postseason. Specific details on lineup or minute restrictions were not disclosed, but the Lakers are expected to manage workloads carefully over their remaining games.
The franchise has not specified how the shift might affect its rotation on a game-to-game basis, though the overarching goal is to enter the playoffs with the healthiest roster possible, even if that means accepting a lower seed.
Source: New York Post
